There are a number of book events scheduled this year. All subject to planning and travel arrangements. Each one is an opportunity to meet readers and share my work. Generally, these are really exciting and I have travelled up and down across the country; usually with my mum or a soul sister in tow as they’ve been my glamourous assistant.

I’ve not been doing these events very long, but I’ve certainly learned a lot by going to them. I’ve been to events where there sixty authors and beyond, as well as smaller events, with a third of that number. There are themed ones, and events where I’ve probably not been the best author for the job. There have been events which are genre and multi-genre; these have seen a massive diversity of readers.

I have largely found events to be welcome. There have been events where I might have been the only brown author, but this is changing, albeit slowly. I know that there lots of brown and black authors in the indie universe, it’s a case of where does one find them and are events accessible and open.

I did go to one event, where one reader took one look at me, at my books and walked off. Charming, is what I thought as I watched them walk away. I simply wasn’t their company of tea, and it was barely concealed.

Largely, readers will say hello, how you doing, what do you write. There are warm conversations, I share what I write and readers may take a risk. On the other hand, there are some book events that are huge, feel very closed shop and as though you have to be part of a club to get in. This can be off putting, and feeds the less than, imposter syndrome way of thinking. Events that have been around for years and gave a very specific focus. Not so much a fandom. In my experience fandoms are lovely, welcoming and people connect.

I’m looking forward to this years book events, each one feels like a mini adventure,